By Sean Rook | The First Edition · September 24, 2026
The Giants host Tennessee on Sunday, September 27, at 1 p.m. ET. Both teams need this one: New York is 1–1, Tennessee 0–2. But the Giants’ week changed when Jaxson Dart was ruled out for the rest of the regular season. Jameis Winston will start, and the question now is how quickly the offense can become his offense.
The Rams game showed what cannot happen again. After Dart went down, Winston completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception in a 28–6 loss. Los Angeles recorded eight quarterback hits. Give Winston that kind of protection on Sunday and any game plan will be fighting uphill.
The plan for Sunday
My take: New York should make the first quarter simple. Protect Winston, give him manageable throws, and let the run game keep Tennessee from attacking on every down. There will be chances for a deep shot, but forcing one early to prove the offense is still dangerous would miss the point. Sustained drives would do more for this team right now.
I will also be watching the defense. Tennessee has lost twice, though its 24–20 loss to Philadelphia was close. The Giants cannot treat an 0–2 opponent as an easy reset. They need to keep the score within reach while the offense finds its footing.
What I expect: a lower-scoring game, with the Giants’ protection and third-down execution deciding it late. Our pick: Giants 20, Titans 17. A win would matter. Seeing a workable plan for Winston would matter beyond Sunday.
New York football stays in the rotation. See the Blue Empire Borough Bird No. 6 tee.
Sources: Giants quarterback update · Giants Week 3 report. Independent fan commentary by Flavor First Sports.